Iran says it arrested three Israeli spies

Iran said it arrested three Israelis suspected of spying and attempting to recruit Iranian citizens to gather intelligence for Israel, Iranian news agency Mehr reported on Saturday.

The report quotes Iranian judge Dadkhoda Salari as saying that most of the suspects, who have gone on trial in the country’s southeast, have confessed during interrogation to collecting information and transferring it out of the country, and aiding organizations that oppose religion in Israel.

“The three hired some 60 Iranian citizens to plot against the Islamic government,” the judge was quoted as saying.

Iranian authorities provided no further information on the trial, and on whether the defendants were sentenced.